As its seemingly endless construction nears
completion, the Village of Wauwatosa shines, offering a European-esque
dining and shopping destination for all ages. Village Holiday
Spirit, a series of promotions and events coinciding with the
holiday season, kicks off Nov. 3 and continues into December, so
visiting this ever-evolving area is more apropos than ever.

See & Do

With the holiday season just weeks away, pop into
Soaps & Scents for a plethora of gift options, from luxurious
robes and pajamas to specialty candles and bath oils. (My personal
favorite is the Thymes candle in goldleaf — a floral-forward scent
with hints of jasmine and lily of the valley.) The staffers are
friendly and accommodating, ready to steer you in the right
direction, and each purchase can be carefully wrapped for easy gift
giving. 7600 Harwood Ave., (414) 771-2228, soapsandscentswi.com

If the little ones in your life need gifting, head to
The Little Read Book, a full-service book store with a robust
children’s selection. The shop also hosts a monthly book club, which
usually meets on the second Wednesday of the month. 7603 W. State
St., (414) 774-2665, littlereadbook.com

Located just across the street is women’s apparel and
accessories boutique Salamander. Expect to find trendy,
transitional styles from a variety of brands, including Joules,
Desigual and THML Clothing, and a smartly curated selection of eye
wear. 7532 W. State St., (414) 259-0970

Much more than a flower and plant shop, The Flower
Lady is also a locally owned home décor store, stocking mirrors,
frames, table top accessories and more. The shop is hosting its
holiday open house Nov. 10-12, so stop in for specials on stocking
stuffers, hostess gifts and holiday decorations. 1417 Underwood
Ave., (414) 259-0999, theflowerlady.com

Eat & Drink

Begin your day at Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company,
a new-to-the-area coffee shop that debuted last June. Order a
honeybee latte and, if the weather allows, sip it outside on the
charming backyard patio. The café also sells freshly made pastries
and cookies from nearby Le R ve Patisserie & Café, so
consider indulging in a sweet — or two! — too. 7471 Harwood
Ave., (414) 930-0469, anodynecoffee.com

If you still feel the need to satisfy for you sweet
tooth, next door from Anodyne is Niemann’s Candies & Ice Cream.
The store has been in business for nearly 100 years, and its
handmade candies, from butter toffees and peanut brittle to sea-salt
caramels and truffles, are decadent bites of heaven. 7475 Harwood
Ave., (414) 774-4940, niemannscandies.com

Another newcomer to the village is the Village
Cheese Shop, which also opened last summer. Owner and American
Cheese Society certified cheese professional Sabina Magyar brings
her extensive knowledge of fine cheeses to the shop, which sells not
only cheese, but wine and accompaniments, such as cured meats, nuts
and jams. Enjoy a cheese board and glass of wine at the in-house
bar, or order an artisan sandwich prepared to order (the menu
rotates weekly) to go. 1430 Underwood Ave., (414) 488-2099,
villagecheesetosa.com

Fine dining in Wauwatosa is synonymous with
Ristorante Bartolotta, an Italian-inspired eatery and the
Bartolotta brothers’ first restaurant. Executive Chef Juan Urbieta
has been with Ristorante for 15 years, and his seasonally inspired,
three-course chef’s menu is not to be missed. Dine on Mondays or
Tuesdays for half-priced bottles of wine, and look for the
restaurant’s holiday-season-only lunch service, which begins later
this month. 7616 W. State St., (414) 771-7910,
bartolottaristorante.com